Cry babies! Mourinho hits out at Arsenal over complaints about Mikel tackle and Walcott penalty appeal

Jose Mourinho has branded Arsenal cry babies following an ill-tempered goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger was upset his side were denied a penalty after Willian appeared to trip Theo Walcott in the box, while John Mikel Obi escaped a red card for catching Mikel Arteta’s ankle in a bruising clash.

The result means Liverpool top the Barclays Premier League at Christmas for the first time since 2008, with Arsenal second on goal difference after leading for three months and Chelsea fourth.

Cry babies: Jose Mourinho mocked the Gunners after the game, saying it was in Arsenal's tradition to cry

Trip: Willian made light contact with Theo Walcott in the box but didn't get the ball

But Mourinho, who maintained his unbeaten record against the Gunners, blasted Arsenal.

‘You know, they like to cry,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘That’s tradition. But I prefer to say, and I was telling it to the fourth official, that English people — Frank Lampard, for example — would never provoke a situation like that. Players from other countries, especially some countries, have that in their blood.

‘If you have contact or the opponent was aggressive, let’s go, keep going, this is English football. Foreign players are bringing lots of good things. They come here because they are talented, but I prefer English blood in football.

‘English blood in this situation is: “Come on, let’s go”. The (Mikel) tackle is a hard and aggressive one. Football is for men or for women with fantastic attitude.

Eyes on the ball: Both Mikel and Arteta go for the ball - but the Chelsea man was late

Going in hard: Mikel makes contact with Arteta after diving in to win the ball

‘It’s
true, there are other sports without contact; fantastic sports which
demand a lot from the players, and I respect those sports full of
champions. But no contact.

‘Football
is a game of contact. English football, winter, water on the pitch,
sliding tackles at fantastic speed. Be proud. Play with pride. If you’re
hurt, OK, you’re hurt.’

But
Wenger, when asked about referee Mike Dean’s display and having seen
Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey exchange angry words after the Welshman
kicked the ball out after Ramires picked up an injury, said: ‘Of course,
I can understand that Mourinho thought he (the referee) had a good
game. I don’t think he had a great game at all. I think it (Willian on
Walcott) was a penalty. Honestly. If I’m wrong, I apologise. I’ve not
seen it again, but it looked like a penalty.

Shake on it: Mourinho and Arsene Wenger both needled each other with comments after the game

‘I
have to watch the (Mikel) challenge again. On the pitch it looked bad,
but the referee was in a good position. It’s Christmas so let’s give
everyone his own opinion. I’ll have mine.’

Arteta
said: ‘I haven’t seen the challenge from John Mikel Obi again but my
ankle is swollen big time. He broke my shinpad and he was late. Theo
Walcott is saying it was also 100 per cent a penalty.’